There have been wonders in the heavens this last week or so.
The moon and Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.
Fabulous alignments.

I have spent more time down at the river on my new favourite walk. More blissful summery weather this week HEAVEN!!! On my work at home Wednesday I got up and instead of packing a packed lunch, driving to work and parking up etc I used that hour to go down to the river with Rosie. 7 am as the sun rose through the mist.

And the weather is still fabulous!

Have you seen a smug poodle before?
The view from my home desk – I work at home on a Wednesday.

Summary of summery Spring
1. Found a new walk and it was heavenly – utterly heavenly. Kingfishers, otter tracks, oyster catchers, curlews, ducks, geese and only me and Rosie there to share it
2. Began work on the paved area in the front garden with old sandstone slabs. Big thank you to our friend Frank for invaluable help with it!
3. Work was busy – but enough about that!

It was WAHW (Work at Home Wednesday) which keeps me calmly sane!
When I finished I took Rosie a walk. We followed a track that I have never been down before. The local countryman Maurice told me a bout it when we saw him in the pub last night and I queried a track we found on our walk on Sunday and if it was a public path. He told me it was and that you can get to it from the other end. WHAT a heavenly walk. It was warm, the light lovely as sunset began. Most of the path is beside a little beck, crystal clear and clean. I felt so calm on that walk that it was a shame to have to head home.

There are some really nice people aren’t there? A friend in the village has just given us a trailer load of weathered sandstone slabs (saving us a fortune) for a project in the garden I’ve wanted to do for years but it was too pricey as sandstone is SO expensive.
Now the hard physical work begins! Removing one of the small lawns, levelling, lining and putting down the slabs.
Who needs Alan Titchmarsh…. BUT – if that yummy Monty Don were to offer his services I would probably faint with pleasure.

My perfect cousin (quoting the Undertones) or rather my CLEVER CUZ has had a load of new company stationary letterheads and business cards etc printed but the phone number was wrong. What did he do? He calmly rang the phone company and CHANGED HIS NUMBER to match wrong one! GENIUS! I am so impressed.

Almost like summer. Fabulous weekend of spring.
On Sunday we took Rosie a walk through the fields and down to the little brook that heads into the river. We tried to encourage her to get over some stiles but it didn’t work out. We’ll just have to lift her over them. It was so calm and quiet, bright and warm. Real t-shirt weather.
This is the little stream. I love the sound. I could have stayed there all day.

We were home in time to go for a drink with our friend Frank at the pub and sit outside too! In the afternoon Hector watched the rugby and I gardened…. eventually taking a rug outside and laying out there in the sun. Heaven.

Hurrah!

Getty Images have taken this shot for their stock.

and on this same day a different starling image of mine was used on the Flickr.blog!

Will either of these make my fortune? Probably not – but its given me a thrill.

Beaten – did the pub quiz with Adele and Ray. Lots of fun and as ever a really good time with them. We didn’t win – but it doesn’t matter.
Busy – village magazine to finish and get to printers.
Blonde – dyed my hair. I’m happier blonde. Took quite well I think. I like it.
Business – very hectic at work. Had a trip down to the Midlands to visit our big 2 day Conference venue – that I found and booked – and it went well. 300 delegates will attend 2 nights and 2 days in the Autumn with en-suite accommodation, workshops, seminars, master classes, dinner, quiz, keynotes, speakers and multi trade stands. Its a real feat of organisation and I LOVE doing it.
Boggy – weather damp and mild. Not much by the way of a walk with Rosie. Hope for fine weekend weather and some nice mini expeditions.
Birthday – Clare’s birthday this week and she and Jane both came to visit me at the office. Glad to show them where I work and to give Clare her pressie.
Best - We went to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It was delicious!!!! The perfect feel good film. I want to be Judy Dench sitting side saddle on a little scooter nipping around Jaipur streets my arm around a diffident Bill Nighy.

Really busy at work this week so was especially glad that the weather was nice and I could have lovely walks before dark.
Yesterday was a longer walk and really pleasant an back via a G&T at Franks house. It was though a ‘Bad Hair Day’….

After Rosie jumped off a stile and hurt herself and knowing I need both hands to negotiate the taller stone ones myself I thought this was worth a try… it was of limited success!